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FRIENDS 

and 

OTHER UERSE 



by 
John F. Schee 



^ 1922 






c.K'»^ 



Copyrighted 1922 
By John F. Schee 



THE HOMESTEAD PRINTING CO., DES MOINES 



5C1A690815 




For friends alone these lines are meant: 
To no one else have theij been sent. 
When on this portrait ijon niaij look. 
If not my friend — please shnt the book. 




Friends and Other Verse 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Introduction ' 

My Friends the Poets 13 

Young 1^ 

Milton 16 

Willis 17 

Pope 18 

Rogers and Campbell 19 

Burns 20 

Byron • • 21 

Moore and Scott 22 

Wordsworth 24 

Hood • • • 25 

Dante 26 

Browning 27 

Tennyson 29 

Kirk White 30 

Pollok 31 

Keats and Shelley 32 

Dunbar 33 

Goldsmith and Gray 34 

Longfellow 35 

Bryant 36 

Whittier 37 

Holmes 38 

Poe 39 

Lowell 41 

Whitman 42 

Swinburne 43 

Riley and Field 44 

Kipling ^ 45 



Friends and Other Verse 



Page 

Mrs. Hemans 46 

Ingelow, Proctor and Mrs. Browning.... 47 

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 48 

Neihardt 50 

Shakespeare 51 

Some Others 53 

Some of My Friends Are Not Poets 

James G. Blaine 54 

James A. Garfield 55 

Hayes 56 

Greeley 57 

Lincoln and His Co-Workers 58 

Taft 59 

Quatrains 

If I Could 63 

Ships That Pass in the Night 64 

My Visitors 65 

Little Things 66 

A Little Friend 67 

No Matter About the Weather 68 

Four Leaf Glover 69 

The Rose 70 

The Kiss 71 

What Is Worth While 72 

Eternal But Itinerant 73 

Two Bosses 74 

Summary of Roosevelt's Speeches 75 

Truth Crushed to Earth Will Rise Again . . 76 

Our Deserts, Always 77 

No Excellence Without Labor 78 

You Know This Little Girl 79 



Friends and Other Verse 



Page 

You've Noticed It 80 

Suppress It 81 

What We Need 82 

Rest 83 

Once on a Time 84 

Love, Its Own Reward 85 

The Spendthrift 86 

War Poets 87 

They Do This Way at Some Churches 88 

The Dream That Disappoints 89 

A Bundle of Christmas Verses 90 

To the Baker Family, Corning, Iowa 92 

My Game 93 

Miscellaneous 

Sonnet 1 97 

Sonnet II 98 

Limerick 99 

Mary 100 

Autobiographical 101 

My Phonograph 105 

Portraits 109 

Dear Ones Ill 

Lewis Schee 112 

Sunshine 113 

The Greatest Joy 114 

Something Left 115 

The Girl of 1921 116 

Impatience 117 

Wife and I at the Pi Phi House 118 

My Favorite Girl 119 

Who? 121 



Friends and Other Verse 



Page 

Two Limits 122 

The President 123 

Haters of England 124 

Estranged 125 

The Maiden Evangelist 126 

Rondeau 127 

The Invitation 128 

What Can Uncle Sam Do About It? 129 

Response to Poetical Greetings of Rev. 

W. F. Bartholomew 130 

A Spring Poem 131 

Memories 132 

John Harrison Blu 133 

What Would You Do? 134 

Compensation 135 



Friends and Other Verse 



INTRODUCTION 

For children, wife and dearest friends 1 

write 
The sundry halting lines that follow here. 
Imagining that they might find delight 
In the perusal of what might appear 

To others as too intimate discourse 
Concerning self and matters that relate 
To my own life and thought; for in this 

verse 
The pronoun "I" is overworked. I hate 

To make apology; but it is due 

To those who otherwise might criticise 

My confidential talk, dear friends, with 

you 
Whose kindly thought most gratefully I 

prize. 



Friends and Other Verse 



But it would be acute embarrassment 
If you should think that all the lines I write, 
My feeling and my thought and life pre- 
sent; 
What others think and feel I oft indite. 

By what he sings you can not judge a man; 
The "Rock of Ages" by bad men you've 

heard; 
By good men worldly songs you hear, 

again ; 
Judge, therefore, by the spirit, not the word. 



Friends and Other Verse 



If 1 should word a single thought 
Of import in a pleasing way. 
Not wholly lost would be that day, 
Nor would the effort be for naught. 



ITlij Friends, the Poets 



Friends and Other Verse 13 



MY FRIENDS, THE POETS 

They live in my library. 

When from annoying troubles I retire 
Among my books in seeming solitude, 
I'm not alone; the friends I most admire 
Come and bring solace to my changeful 
mood. 

In quietude they charmingly discourse 
Of science, history, fancy, living fact. 
Intrusive volubility ne'er bores; 
Whate'er their faults, they never lack for 
tact. 



14 Friends and Other Verse 



Tho on poetic feet I may not stride 
With grace, I list' to others as they sing 
On themes I love; it seems that they abide 
With me and constantly to me they bring 

The pleasure of sweet intercourse with 

minds 
Whose workings are attuned to high design. 
I cannot speak as they, but my heart finds 
The thoughts that they express are ofttimes 

mine. 



Friends and Other Verse 15 



YOUNG 

"Be wise today, 'tis madness to defer," 
Said Edward Young two centuries ago. 
He's somewhat out of date, but I prefer 
Our ancient friend to many that I know. 

So Edward Young at home you'll always 

find. 
Our home, and he is always welcome here. 
We thoroughly enjoy his noble mind. 
'Tis a rare treat to always have him near. 



16 Friends and Other Verse 



MILTON 

Majestic Milton, chanting by the ream 
"Of man's first disobedience and the 

fruit"— 
Can we long follow him on such a theme, 
Or would a happier note our mood best 

suit? 

Addressing Milton only yestere'en. 

That I might hear his words of great por- 
tent, 

From the white page he glared and this 
was seen, 

And it appeared the universe was rent! 

"A dungeon horrible on all sides, 'round," 
"Torture" with "burning sulphur, uncon- 

sumed;" 
There "doleful shades" in fire did abound. 
I turned my back on Milton and resumed 



Friends and Other Verse 17 



WILLIS 

The quest for that which giveth less annoy 
And met Nathaniel Wilhs face to face. 
He told the tale of David and his boy. 
His gentleness, simplicity and grace 

Commend him and we listen to his tales 
From Holy writ, nor tire with passing time : 
The "Daughter of Jairus," Jephthah's wails 
And others writ in rhythm and in rhyme. 

In "Lady Jane" our poet takes a lapse; 
Byron, it seems, he tries to imitate. 
Jules is a Juan and the tale, perhaps, 
Like imitations all, meets deserved fate. 



18 Friends and Other Verse 



POPE 

Of all the Popes that I have ever known. 

The best is Alexander who began. 

Like White, when but a youngster scarce 

half grown, 
To write, and later his "Essay on Man," 

A composition marvelously wrought. 
Was given the world; in couplets it was 

writ. 
And strange to say, each couplet has a 

thought: 
In wonder, therefore, we admire it. 






Friends and Other Verse 19 



ROGERS AND CAMPBELL 

Rogers and Campbell, relics of the years 
Ere Byron reigned supreme, the king of 

verse. 
The years when Burns to laughter and to 

tears. 
Commanded; ah, those memories we nurse! 

"Pleasures of Memory," read Rogers' page, 
"Pleasures of Hope," Tom Campbell wrote, 

forsooth. 
Fond memory is the solace of old age; 
While hope has always been the joy of 

youth. 



20 Friends and Other Verse 



BURNS 

Burns is a man whose hand we'd like to 

shake, 
A friend to all in any clime or land. 
Then list to him, to the grand words h(' 

spake. 
No — simple words — the thoughts alono 

were grand. 

Poor Bobby loved his drink — his life's one 

bane. 
Was it a bane or did it fire all 
His genius to high effort? Many a man 
Has reached great heights and depths thru 

a high-ball. 

But let us take our Bobby as he is; 
Tho many years ago he loved his glass, 
Now on yon shelf he does his best; for this 
We can forgive his errors; let them pass. 



Friends and Other Verse 21 



BYRON 

Lord Byron comes and speaks me by the 

hour. 
He's not my friend as Whittier, Field or 

Scott; 
But I admire him for his matchless power 
And follow him enchanted — who would 

not? 

Much that he says might better be un- 
spoken ; 
He tells his troubles rather overmuch; 
Philosophy, adventures, fond hearts broken 
Are given all too personal a touch. 

But there are times in which in noblest 

flight 
Lord Byron soars to reach the highest goal : 
"There was a sound of revelry by night." 
"Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean — 

roll!" 



22 Friends and Other Verse 



MOORE AND SCOTT 

Ah, Tommy Moore, you have an Irish heart. 
You were my earliest friend of all the clan. 
My early fondness for your verse had part 
In shaping my conceptions, ere a man. 

And Walter Scott, no less a Scot than 

Burns, 
Of finer parts, more scholarly in truth; 
And thru his writings, wheresoever one 

turns, 
He finds the best companionship for youth. 



Friends and Other Verse 23 



Both Moore and Scott, Lord Byron classed 

as friends, 
And Byron ne'er would tolerate the dull. 
To Moore, material for his life, he sends; 
To Scott from Greece, he sent a human 

skull. 

Preeminence Scott granted to the Lord 
Whose genius gave Childe Harold to the 

throng. 
Of poetry thereafter, not a word. 
But novels in profusion, short and long. 



24 Friends and Other Verse 



WORDSWORTH 

Ah, Wordsworth, Byron did not like you 

well. 
What matter? You've a better chance of 

Heaven 
Than he, who howe'er great could never 

tell 
The sweet and simple story, "We Are 

Seven." 

I sometimes wish that you were not so dull. 
Your "Prelude" makes me want to go to 

bed. 
Some eighty thousand words make over 

full 
Its pages, and but little e'er gets read. 

And your "Excursion" gives but little joy; 
I joined it once but quit it ere the boat 
Was under sail; 'twas when I was a boy. 
'Tis no picnic to read what Wordsworth 
wrote. 



Friends and Other Verse 25 



HOOD 

Dear Thomas Hood, a century ago 

You made us laugh and cry for fun and 

hurt. 
For instance, there's "Miss Kilmansegg," 

and Oh! 
Per contra, "Bridge of Sighs," "Song of the 

Shirt." 



26 Friends and Other Verse 



DANTE 

Dante of Florence was a grand old man. 
He took me on a trip thru hell one night. 
I hope I'll never have to go again; 
We'll find the other place if we do right. 



Friends and Other Verse 27 



BROWNING 

Tho Browning's here, I really must admit, 
His perspicuity oft fails, and hence 
Walt Mason has our sympathy a bit: 
"Take it away, bring books that have some 
sense," , 

Said Mason, which, indeed, is too severe. 
Browning, I'm sure, knows what he talks 

about; 
His finely drawn philosophy is clear 
To some; to others 'tis past finding out. 

Lese Majeste, I'm sure is my offense 
In speaking lightly of this mighty mind; 
But when he flies I fail to grasp the sense 
At times; he leaves my intellect behind. 



28 Friends and Other Verse 



With diligence apply, or otherwise 
We'll not with highest critics quite accord. 
Study minutely, there the secret lies, 
Or we will miss what we can ill afford. 

As with our appetites, so with our books. 
What we dislike, we later may admire; 
Carrots, tomatoes, blame it on the cooks; 
Fondness for Browning we may yet ac- 
quire. 



Friends and Other Verse 29 



TENNYSON 

Lord Tennyson quite often talks with me. 
He's not a jolly visitor, but then 
He speaks with marvelous felicity 
On noblest themes straight to the hearts of 
men. 

From "Locksley Hall" to "Locksley Hall" 

again, 
He jewels coined for more than three score 

years, 
A benediction all those years to man 
Who gave in turn appreciative cheers. 

We may not have a second Tennyson; 
That matters not, for this one will not die. 
But still speak on to us as he has done 
Thru all the ages to eternity. 



30 Friends and Other Verse 



KIRK WHITE 

A few who scarce reached manhood we will 
name, 

For youth endowed with genius oft com- 
pletes 

A work that makes for everlasting fame : 

White, Dunbar, Pollock, Shelley and John 
Keats. 

All ye who lack acquaintance with Kirke 

White 
Have missed the pleasing fellowship that 

means 
Enrichment from a youthful mind so 

bright. 
He wrote good verse before he reached his 

teens. 

Altho he passed when only twenty-one. 
He gave to future ages many a gem; 
But chiefly owes his station in the sun 
To this great song, "The Star of Bethle- 
hem." 



Friends and Other Verse 31 



POLLOK 

Pollok, a junior Milton, you should know. 
His powers bloomed and while a boy he 

wrote 
"The Course of Time" a hundred years ago; 
Magnificent, but nothing else of note 

Distinguished his too brief but bright ca- 
reer. 
He finished in his twenties, passed away. 
But still remains and even now is here 
With food for our reflection every day. 



32 Friends and Other Verse 



KEATS AND SHELLEY 

John Keats and Percy Shelley were two lads 
Who captured all the highbrows of their 

time, 
And still with Wordsworth and with 

Browning fads 
Claim interest with those who study rhyme. 

A modest man was Keats. Upon his tomb 
Inscribed by his request is "Here lies one 
Whose name is writ in water." Scarce is 

room 
To 'grave on marble all the fame he won. 

And Shelley, beauteous and brilliant boy; 
In genius very few could him approach. 
Mixed with his good there was some gross 

alloy; 
But yet he thought himself above reproach. 



Friends and Other Verse 33 



DUNBAR 

Out of a cloud of blackness rose a star 
That doth illuminate a vast expanse 
Of mental darkness; I mean Paul Dunbar — 
Great heart, great brain, but a black skin, 
perchance. 

To countless groping souls he brings a light, 

A light that thru the years, we trust will 
shine. 

'Mongst all, I know no better friend to- 
night; 

Where he has gone is known no color line. 



34 Friends and Other Verse 



GOLDSMITH AND GRAY 

Goldsmith and Gray are quiet friends of 

mine. 
In the "Deserted Village" Goldsmith stays. 
Gray many weeks spent polishing a line; 
In "Country Churchyard" now he spends 

his days. 



Friends and Other Verse 35 



LONGFELLOW 

Longfellow, Bryant, Whittier, Holmes and 
Poe 

Produced the gems with which school read- 
ers teem. 

At least 'twas true some forty years ago; 

Nor are they superseded yet, I deem. 

Of this quintet, Longfellow first we note. 
To know him well read Hiawatha's song, 
"Evangeline," "Miles Standish"— all he 

wrote; 
In reading him you cannot well go wrong! 

A scholar and a teacher in his day. 

In touch with human interests and needs. 

He lived four score years ere he passed 

away; 
His life was rich in precepts and in deeds. 



36 Friends and Other Verse 



BRYANT 

"A Forest Hymn," "Whither Midst Falling 

Dew" 
Are classic lines; few better have we here. 
"Among the Trees" and "Thanatopsis," too. 
The author was our poet, pioneer. 

Tho poetry is Bryant's monument. 

For fifty years the New York Evening Post 

Claimed his best efforts and where e'er 

'twas sent 
Proclaimed the editor a mighty host. 



Friends and Other Verse 37 



WHITTIER 

How rich in thought are Whittier's simple 

words ! 
How earnestly he paints the wrong of 

strife ! 
How true the ring when like the songs of 

birds. 
He hues the duties and the joys of Hfe! 

In one respect our Whittier did a wrong: 
He failed to bless a woman's life and when 
He passed away breathing some beauteous 

song, 
His saddest thought was this, "it might 

have been." 



38 Friends and Other Verse 



HOLMES 

And there is Dr. Holmes, the autocrat. 
What better poet, or what better man? 
He likes to make us laugh, but tells us that 
He "dare not write as funny as he can." 

He's even better in his serious vein: 
The "Chambered Nautilus" or "Ironsides." 
When he is at his best he gives free rein 
And brings us gifts when e'er his muse he 
rides. 



Friends and Other Verse 39 



POE 

Another man whom we are glad to know, 
Tho bad, is not the worst you ever saw; 
I mean the gifted and erratic Poe, 
The constant pet of his good mother-in-law. 

My boyhood's first impressions, I recall, 
Were drawn from a weird picture of a bird 
Which sat upon a bust close by the wall. 
Over the door, but never said a word. 

But having read the tale and gone to bed, 
Methinks I heard the spook, for evermore. 
And scared, indeed, I covered up my head; 
The black cat's howl seemed like a lion's 
roar. 



40 Friends and Other Verse 



But Poe did other things than just to scare. 
He sang of Helen's eyes and Annabel; 
Tho to himself he was not always fair. 
He told his stories more than passing well. 

And we recall one certain truth he wrote: 
That "poems are not otherwise than brief." 
Many not one, this series you will note; 
The frequent change of subject brings re- 
lief. 



Friends and Other Verse 41 



LOWELL 

James Russell Lowell, (rest his shade in 

peace) 
Gould he resume his earthly form once 

more, 
What would he think of his newfangled 

niece — 
Her books? He'd likely hurl 'em thru the 

door. 

With his contemporaries, three or four, 
He sang the songs of Liberty to men. 
Thru all the troublous days of Civil War 
He served his country with his voice and 
pen. 

Upon his poetry will rest his fame 
In future ages, but 'twas not as great 
As other work. It was his highest aim 
To render highest service to the State. 



42 Friends and Other Verse 



WHITMAN 

Walt Whitman was the founder of the 

school, 
Vers Libre; we had hoped with him it 

died. 
A hundred now pretend with Amy Lowell 
That they write verse; they ought to go and 

hide. 

Yet Whitman always something had to say. 
We can excuse the author every time 
Who wisdom pens; it matters not what 

way 
He writes, or if sans rhythm or sans rhyme. 



Friends and Other Verse 43 



SWINBURNE 

Charles Swinburne, you the story have well 

told 
Of Mary Stuart. History and song 
You have combined. Your stories ne'er 

grow old, 
Nor songs grow wearisome, tho they be 

long. 

Your songs have power to halt the flight of 
youth. 

We tire not, we forget the passing years. 

Your melodies have power to soothe, for- 
sooth. 

And give us smiles where erstwhile there 
were tears. 



44 Friends and Other Verse 



RILEY AND FIELD 

Riley and Field are jolliest of men; 

They make me laugh, sometimes they make 

me cry; 
And then they make me cry and laugh, and 

then — 
If you will read their verses, you'll know 

why. 

They wrote of children and of common 

folk. 
Of childish doings and plebeian ways; 
Of human interest matters chiefly spoke 
In volumes of delightful, simple lays. 



Friends and Other Verse 45 



KIPLING 

Of Rudyard Kipling think, "lest we forget." 
He wrote some stories and some "bloomin" 

verse. 
He said he stole; we don't believe it yet; 
Had he done so his writings would be worse. 

To speak of Kipling Hghtly is not fair. 
Of war, peace, nations, issues of the day 
He writes; also of rags, bones, hanks of 

hair. 
And all in Kipling's quite uncommon way. 



46 Friends and Other Verse 



MRS. HEMANS 

Among my friends some ladies, I adore. 
Do their full share in helping pass the time; 
They talk, and talk, and talk, and talk some 

more, 
Their conversations always clothed in 

rhyme. 

One charming lady we will not forget 
As ages flee, till time shall be a wreck. 
Led me where "breaking waves dashed 

high" and yet 
She left me stranded "on the burning deck." 



Friends and Other Verse 47 



INGELOW, PROCTOR AND MRS. 
BROWNING 

Jean Ingelow, Adelaide A. Proctor, two 
Of nature's noblewomen, have the charm 
Of loving sympathy possessed by few 
In measure such — they stand there, arm in 
arm. 

Elizabeth B. Browning was the wife 
Of Robert of the mystifying style. 
Devoting all her brilliant song bird life 
To w^ork and husband, gave us verse worth 
while. 



48 Friends and Other Verse 



ELLA WHEELER WILCOX 

And Ella Wheeler Wilcox last we name 
Of those immortal women of high worth. 
She lived and loved, teaching her friends 

the same; 
She now has gone the way of all the earth. 

But she in going, did not say good-by; 
Smiling, she left us at the river's brink. 
To her it did not seem that she could die; 
She felt an enlarged power to see and think. 

Where'er she went, she could not quit this 

earth; 
She left with us her poetry and song, 
Her songs of passion, sorrow, joy and 

mirth ; 
With these, her heart, mind, soul to us 

belong. 



Friends and Other Verse 49 



Full justice seldom does her work receive 
From critics who assume her work to judge. 
She strongly words what most of us believe. 
Much high-brow criticism is but fudge. 

Of matters closest to our lives she wrote. 
And tho opinions of her merits part. 
We're sure that those who read her verse 

would vote 
To crown her poet laureate of the heart. 



50 Friends and Other Verse 



NEIHARDT 



J. G. Neihardt read from his poems at the M. E. 
Church, Indianola, January, 1922. 



A friend of mine not very long ago 
Was kind enough to send unto my house 
Nebraska's poet, Neihardt, whom you 

know; 
He recently your interest did arouse, 

Appearing here in person to recite 
His verses which you heartily approved. 
He gave us all a generous treat that night 
And we in sympathetic thought were 
moved. 

Neihardt hath writ the epic of the West. 
I doubt if any could have done so well; 
At least of all attempts, his is the best; 
Of Hugh and Jamie, hear the poet tell. 



Friends and Other Verse 51 



SHAKESPEARE 

And there is still another. You may think 
It strange he was not named first on the list. 
His genius reached the summit — reached 

the brink 
Of wisdom's fountains other men have 

missed. 

Can we not say all other men have failed, 
Despite their strivings, to attain the height 
This poet soared? While others' powers 

paled 
The passing centuries increase his light. 

Because of his completeness, there is none 
Who gives so much when we his words 

have read. 
As broad as human thought his comments 

run. 
And all that is worth saying he has said. 



52 Friends and Other Verse 



He to our mental world is like the Sun 
Which giveth light and life thruout the 

bounds 
Of this vast system. Shakespeare is the 

one! 
He is the mountain: other men are mounds. 



Friends and Other Verse 53 



SOME OTHERS 

Van Dyke, Brooke, Heine, Coleridge, Saxe, 

Guest: 
A hundred could be named whom you 

would prize. 
But if to you I'd introduce the rest 
This poem would reach most prodigious 

size. 

One general diverse poet we all love. 
He's written gems galore in years agone. 
And this he'll do while he his pen can shove; 
And what he writes, he always signs, 

—ANON. 



54 Friends and Other Verse 



SOME OF MY FRIENDS ARE NOT POETS 

JAMES G. BLAINE 

Not all my friends to poetry pretend. 
Blaine is no poet; but at any rate 
His is a giant mind, and he's my friend. 
He left his mighty impress on the State. 

And now he comes and tells me o'er and o'er 
Of his great work and men of his great age : 
Of Lincoln, Logan, Sherman, Garfield, 

Hoar, 
Grant, Seward, Sumner, Chase, each one a 

sage. 



Friends and Other Verse 55 



JAMES A. GARFIELD 

Another statesman, Garfield, stands apart 
From the great mass, among the few who 

served 
With highest skill their country with brave 

heart 
In war and peace, nor from his duty 

swerved. 

His oratory scarce has been surpassed. 
John Sherman, once for president he 

named. 
He did so well his candidate was passed; 
Garfield, himself, the delegates proclaimed. 

Of all our country's servants, in my time, 
Whose loyalty and work their worth attest, 
And who from low to highest place did 

climb, 
Garfield and Blaine are those I love the best. 

1922. 



56 Friends and Other Verse 



HAYES 

It was in the centennial year that Hayes 
In compromise we made our president. 
Tho many people did not like his ways, 
He followed conscience with the best intent. 

The olive branch of peace to all our land 
He gave, and healed the wounds that once 

did bleed; 
And as the years roll by we understand 
His purposes; his wisdom we concede. 



Friends and Other Verse 57 



GREELEY 

The man who in the days of civil war 
Exerted most influence on our thought 
Was Horace Greeley with his Tribune for 
The world. He cheered our soldiers while 
they fought. 

But Greeley lived too long. After the 

years 
Of service advocating what was right, 
He heard the tempter's words with itching 

ears. 
Like Webster, his reversion dimmed his 

light. 



58 Friends and Other Verse 



LINCOLN .\ND HIS CO-WORKERS 

To LincolD and the men of Lincoln's age 
Who saved our Union, we can not repay 
With reverence sufficient; but that wage 
Is all that we can give, and so today 

We venerate their memories. Do they 

know 
How they are loved by people of these 

times? 
Perhaps they do; they Live while ages go. 
How woefully inadequate, these rh^Tnes ! 



I 



Friends and Other Verse 59 



TAFT 

One other statesman, living with us still, 
Some years ago was pounded fore and aft 
By a misguided public whose good will 
Has since returned. He's William Howard 
Taft. 



Qudtrdins 



Friends and Other Verse 63 



IF I COULD 

To write a little poem with a thought, 
Like Shakespeare, Gray, Pope, Milton or 

who not, 
Would be a great achievement. If I could, 
Vd be delighted and am sure you would. 

1922 



64 Friends and Other Verse 



SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT 

There came and touched my life one day 
A presence most divinely sweet; 
It paused a moment, but to greet, 
And then — ah, then — it passed away! 

1911 



Friends and Other VERSfe 65 



MY VISITORS 

At eventide there passed within my door 
Five lovely Pi Phi girls whose presence 

bright 
For three short hours dispelled the gloom of 

night, 
Then left me, happier than I was before. 

July, 1909 



66 Friends and Other Verse 



LITTLE THINGS 

Of mighty import, oft, a little thing; 

A human destiny by word or smile 

Or frown may be shaped for all future 

while. 
A violet may make the heart to sing. 

1918 



Friends and Other Verse 67 



A LITTLE FRIEND 

To Rosa, my dear niece, she is a chum. 
In truth she is a winsome lass and bonny. 
We're always truly glad to have her come; 
She's kind to all and calls me Uncle Johnny. 

1919 



68 Friends and Other Verse 



NO MATTER ABOUT THE WEATHER 

If skies should weep or skies should clear, 
It matters not at all to me; 
I'm just as glad as I can be, 

For , precious girl, is here. 

1912 



Friends and Other Verse 69 



FOUR LEAF CLOVER 

A four leaf clover, once upon a time, 
A little girl pinned to my coat lapel; 
A little thing to speak about in rhyme, 
But 'tis the little things that please us well. 

1912 



70 Friends and Other Verse 



THE ROSE 

Dost remember the time when you gave me 

a rose? 
To you it was nothing; you did not suppose 
I would treasure your flower as long as a 

day. 
I have treasured it ever, will treasure it aye. 

1908 



Friends and Other Verse 71 



THE KISS 

Dost remember the time when you gave me 
a kiss? 

That was nothing to you; would you think 
it amiss 

If you knew what that kiss was to me ? Was 
it right? 

I don't know; but its memory gladdens to- 
night. 1908 



72 Friends and Other Verse 



WHAT IS WORTH WHILE 

Pray why is Love the poet's constant theme? 
The maiden with illuminating smile 
Replied, "In all this weary world, I deem 
That Love, alone, is worth the poet's while." 

1908 



Friends and Other Verse 73 



ETERNAL BUT ITINERANT 

Love is eternal; Love hath always been. 
Tho Love may slumber, he will wake again. 
Not always with one object quite content. 
Love, tho eternal, is itinerant. 

1908 



74 Friends and Other Verse 



TWO BOSSES 

Mr. R. refused to dine at the Hamilton club, 
Chicago, with Senator L., alleging the tatter's un- 



worthiness. 



Who killed Boss Lorimer? 
"I," said Boss Theodore. 
"With my fierce and mighty roar, 
I killed Boss Lorimer." 

1912 



Friends and Other Verse 75 



SUMMARY OF ROOSEVELT'S SPEECHES 

Quoth Teddy, "I'm the mighty ME, 
The He, the Who, also the What, 
The Was, the Is, the Yet to be; 
There's nothing great that I am not." 

1912 



76 Friends and Other Verse 



TRUTH CRUSHED TO EARTH WILL 
RISE AGAIN 

Men, following unreasoning hue and cry. 
May do their worthier brothers wrong 

today; 
But all things will be righted by and by; 
Justice will come sometime, somewhere, 

some way. 1912 



Friends and Other Verse 77 



OUR DESERTS, ALWAYS 

I've noticed often since I've been alive, 
We sometimes miss the aims for which we 

strive. 
That matters little, for of this be sure : 
Whatever we deserve we will secure. 

1920 



78 Friends and Other Verse 



NO EXCELLENCE WITHOUT LABOR 

If attainment came by wishing 
Then would many a lazy shirk 
Be rich, wise, endowed with power; 
But attainment comes by work. 

1918 



Friends and Other Verse 79 



YOU KNOW THIS LITTLE GIRL 

Should some kind fairy come and say 
To me that I might reahze 
One wish, I'd ask (would it be wise?) 
That I might always have my way. 

1918 



80 Friends and Other Verse 



YOU'VE NOTICED IT 

When youth and beauty charm the heart 
We may condone the lack of sense; 
But when these charms at last depart, 
Intolerable is the offence. 

1918 



Friends and Other Verse 81 



SUPPRESS IT 

Your temper, dear, comports not with your 

beauty; 
I trust that it, full soon, may be restored. 
The thing to do is just your simple duty; 
Outbursts of anger, you can not afford. 

1916 



82 Friends and Other Verse 



WHAT WE NEED 

A loving thought, a kindly deed, 
A gentle word, a cheerful smile : 
These are the things that most we need. 
For love alone makes life worth while. 

1919 



Friends and Other Verse 83 



REST 

I wish the little girl I love the best 
Would stand beside my chair 
And gently touch my hair, 
For that would soothe my weary brain to 
rest. 1913 



84 Friends and Other Verse 



ONCE ON A TIME 

One hour, one spot to me were time and 

space. 
Dull was the landscape, clouded was the 

Sun; 
But then and there I told my love to one 
Who trustingly with smiles and tears spoke 

peace. 

1901 



Friends and Other Verse 85 



LOVE, ITS OWN REWARD 

Dear girl, because I love you so, 

I do not ask return in kind; 

Your gentle heart I would not bind — 

Love is its own reward, you know. 

1913 



86 Friends and Other Verse 



THE SPENDTHRIFT 

Who, weakly yielding to his pleasure's lure, 
Spendeth the dollar he doth not possess. 
Repents his folly in sore bitterness. 
Frugal forbearance recompenseth, sure. 

1915 



Friends and Other Verse 87 



WAR POETS 

The potentates of Europe let slip the dogs 
of war; 

And General Sherman said that war — ah 
well — 

But fiercer still by far, more horrible the 
jar. 

When the bloomin' poets slip their dog- 
gerel. 1915 



88 Friends and Other Verse 



THEY DO THIS WAY AT SOME 
CHURCHES 

Oh when I was a lad and to the dance did 

go, 
The organist played second while the fiddler 

pulled his bow. 
But now to church I go whene'er the 

weather's fair, 
And the organist plays second while the 

parson says his prayer. 

1915 



Friends and Other Verse 89 



THE DREAM THAT DISAPPOINTS 

Thru all the shifting scenes of life. 
To me the hour most sad 
Was when I woke to find Yd lost 
The joy I never had. 

1914 



90 Friends and Other Verse 



A BUNDLE OF CHRISTMAS VERSES 

I 

For this Fm glad at Christinas time : 
The friends of other days draw near 
In message, bringing added cheer; 
To one of these I write this rhyme. 

1913 

II 

A lady fair, across the miles 
I greet this gladsome Christmas day; 
But whether she be grave or gay. 
When she gets this — methinks she smiles. 

1913 

III 

My gratitude I tender thee. 
Because on Christmas day 
You thought of me and wrote to me; 
Dear girl, kind heart, sweet way. 

1914 



Friends and Other Verse 91 



IV 

A pretty card above my desk 
With calendar affixed thereto, 
I daily see when at my task 
And seeing, always think of you. 



1914 



V 

If aught that I could say or do 

Would add to 's joy a mite, 

I'd gladly write to her tonight; 

But as it is, I'll say, adieu. 1914 

VI 

For more than a decade, dear friend. 
Your messages of Christmas cheer 
Have made it seem that you were here. 
May they continue to the end. 1915 

VII 
Dear little girl, your greeting came 
And tho 'tis after Christmas time, 
I think I'll write a little rhyme 
And send it to you, just the same. 

1918 



92 Friends and Other Verse 



TO THE BAKER FAMILY 
CORNING, IOWA 

When the flowers you gave us are withered 

and gone, 
When you have forgotten, when years have 

rolled on, 
We'll think of your kindness; we'll look 

thru the rift 
Of dark clouds; we'll remember the giver 

and gift. 1915 



Friends and Other Verse 93 



MY GAME 

Of sports and games a favorite is football, 
While golf has many lovers; but I guess 
Since active sports I can not do at all, 
I'll take my pleasure in a game of chess. 

1922 



Ttliscelkneous 



Friends and Other Verse 97 



SONNET I 

I'm told that for a little book of verse, 
That I one sonnet certainly should write. 
To do so I will try with all my might, 
And when 'tis done I hope it could be worse. 
The trial's on and I would give my purse 
If I could only see my way safe thru. 
It looks so easy any one might do 
The task despite opinions quite adverse. 

Fourteen lines, each five feet long is the 

rule. 
The rhyme to be arranged in such a way 
As books prescribe and I will persevere 
In doing it as we are taught in school. 
Believe me friends, this is more work than 

play, 
But now 'tis done and still you all are here. 

1922 



98 Friends and Other Verse 



SONNET II 

When the foregoing sonnet had been writ 
I thought that I had made one quite correct. 
Since then I've read some others quite a bit. 
And found that variance we may expect. 
It seems the carefulness with which the 

rhymes 
Were chosen for the certain numbered lines 
Was not employed by all men at all times, 
But varied as the sundry roadside signs. 

The liberty employed by those who write 
Our sonnets givesa great variety, 
Altho it does not reach the limit, quite. 
As in uers litre; such could hardly be. 
In sonnet number one I followed Keats; 
Shakespeare employs the method this re- 
peats. 1922 



Friends and Other Verse 99 



LIMERICK 

A limerick I thought I would write 
And worked at the thing most all night; 
And all that I got 
Was this verse which I thought 
Rewarded my efforts — not quite. 

1922 



100 Friends and Other Verse 



MARY 

Quite charming, indeed, is our Mary; 
Tho of men she's exceedingly wary. 
She will not permit 
One to court her a bit, 
Because, well — because she's contrary. 

1913 



Friends and Other Verse 101 



AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL 

Three scores of years I've lived and looking 

back, 
I contemplate ambitions unattained. 
Altho success I do not wholly lack, 
'Tis small compared to what I might have 

gained. 

In childhood's rosy hours I had great 

schemes — 
Hoping that wealth and fame to me would 

fall; 
But now those early iridescent dreams 
Are not my purpose, merely memories, all. 

An educator, first, I thought to be; 

But never having even finished college, 

I taught in country schools, years two or 

three, 
Then left the children groping after 

knowledge. 



102 Friends and Other Verse 



"The applause of listening senates to com- 
mand" — 
Upon this theme my boyhood thoughts 

would fix; 
But following necessity's demand 
I had no time to enter politics. 

The books of Dickens, Thackeray and Scott 
Entranced me and I thought the way to 

glory 
Was theirs and need not otherwise be 

sought; 
But I can't tell, much less can write, a story. 

In music to do something, I've essayed; 
Have played and vocalized my fame to 

bring; 
But those who heard, insistently have said. 
They "always feel the maddest when I 

sing." 



Friends and Other Verse 103 



One great ambition holds me to this date : 
To edit some strong journal and direct 
The thoughts of men in policies of state; 
The time is past when that I can expect. 

The saddest failure, tho, in all my plans 
Is this: great poems I have had in view 
To give the world — quite evident the bans; 
These halting lines are best that I can do. 

Each man must his own monument erect. 
To build a lasting fame we must create. 
This gift I lack and 'tis a sad defect; 
But 'tis worth something to appreciate. 



104 Friends and Other Verse 



'T would be a boon if mediocrity 
Were never tempted by ambition's lure. 
For mediocrity there is no rhjone, 
And failure is the only thing that's sure. 

But in one grand attainment I have starred; 
The thought endears to me this earthly 

ball; 
To me the greatest joy has not been barred; 
I have known Love and Love is best of all. 

1921 



Friends and Other Verse 105 



MY PHONOGRAPH 

Yes, I love music, but am no adept 

In coaxing forth my Sohmer's sweetest 

tones. 
The living lyre I've tried to wake, she slept; 
I can not even play a tune on bones. 

I've had ambition to be musical; 

I've sung regardless of my neighbor's right 

To decent quiet. Growing critical, 

I've seen his patience in a sorry plight. 

But recently I've found a better way. 
And now surrender oft to music's power; 
I have a phonograph to sing and play, 
And ply the same with records by the hour. 



106 Friends and Other Verse 



Records, indeed, for every varying mood. 
If feeling reminiscent, then I go 
And call McClaskey, Baker — they are good; 
Or list to Fremsted sing "Long, Long Ago." 

Merle Tillotson will sing "The Rosary." 
No sweeter song, at least, none that I know. 
"The Mocking Bird" still warbles clear and 

free. 
"Ben Bolt," sometimes "John Anderson, My 

Jo"— 

Frank Coombs and Mary Garden sing last 

two. 
The old, old songs are those we love the 

best; 
When it grows late we sometimes have a 

few 
That we may find more sweet our nightly 

rest. 



Friends and Other Verse 107 



On Sunday afternoons the sacred songs 
Are given and 'tis genuine delight. 
Our pleasure then the concert time pro- 
longs, 
The hours fade away and it is night. 

Sometimes, a yodel, "Turkey in the Straw," 
A hornpipe, jig or reel will satisfy, 
Or famous traveler from "Arkansaw," 
"Dan Tucker," or "Susanna, Don't You 
Cry." 

In patriotic temper, many thrill. 

When Graveure sings the battle hymn of 

France 
His mighty voice the entire house doth fill. 
See marching hosts with sword and gun and 

lance ! 



108 Friends and Other Verse 



We're always moved by Francis Key's great 

song, 
And Smith's "America," "Red, White and 

Blue." 
"A Thousand Years" to us seems none too 

long; 
We would not even care if it were two. 

And those who sing and play for us are 

here: 
McGormick, Seagle, Lauder, Gates, Sarto, 
Gluck, Schumann-Heink, Holt, Homer — all 

are dear; 
Tho not in person present, it seems so. 

Living or dead, their voices, with us still, 
We may command whene'er it suits our 

mood. 
They never plead excuses, but they will 
Promptly comply just as they always 

should. 

1921 



Friends and Other Verse 109 



PORTRAITS 

Portraits on table, mantel, wall, 
Speak to me as I pass along; 
They speak to me of other days 
When life, it seemed, was but a song. 

And those whose portraits greet me now. 
Joined with me in life's carols then; 
Fond memories make me to wish 
That I might live them o'er again. 

For those were days when hope was bright. 
When fault and error had not marred 
The stories of attainments planned. 
Successes now forever barred. 



110 Friends and Other Verse 



When hope has fled, we have at least 
The joy that retrospection brings. 
Recalling happy days of youth, 
We list again while fond Love sings. 

Dear are those faces; some have gone. 
I wonder why, I wonder where; 
And when we follow it may be 
That we shall know each other there. 

1921 



Friends and Other Verse 111 



DEAR ONES 

The purest, sweetest joy we can possess, 
Is to recall from past and passing years 
The prattle, smile, affectionate caress 
Of little dear ones. Glorious appears 
Each picture firmly graven in my heart: 
My girls, more precious than this whole 

world's pelf; 
And in our joys another had a part — 
My "other little girl," she called herself. 
And there were still two other little girls. 
Not still — oh no — but they were very dear. 
They had kind hearts, brown eyes and 

chestnut curls. 
Their "lovings" kept their Uncle in good 

cheer. 
But could we count one pleasure greater, 

still. 
It would be this: that these same darlings 

grown 
Our cup of happiness now overfill 
By loving kindness, making heaven our 

own. 1922 



112 Friends and Other Verse 



LEWIS SCHEE 

My comrade, he for sixty years has been; 
In youth my guide, guard, brother, chum, 

and when 
He left me at the parting of our ways, 
I knew he must have entered better days. 

For if rewards beyond are for the good. 
They are for him. My brother always stood 
Thru all the years for justice, truth and 

right. 
His life was one of service, and the light 

Of love for neighbor, family and friend 
Diffused a joy that will survive the end 
Of life. 'Twill be a heritage for those 
Who knew and loved him ere he reached 
life's close. 

1921 



Friends and Other Verse 113 



SUNSHINE 

Upon the road a little child I met; 
She gave me kindly greeting with a smile. 
Life's heavy burdens bore me down and yet 
The Httle maiden made life seem worth 
while. 

The child was happier for the joy she gave. 
May her sweet spirit last unto the end. 
All that she gave she still will surely have; 
Giving her friendship gained a lasting 
friend. 

1922 



114 Friends and Other Verse 



THE GREATEST JOY 

The greatest joy that comes to man — 
What it can be, I do not know, 
For pleasures come and pleasures go. 
To name the greatest, pray who can? 

But surely, this is true, who gets 
The highest pleasure life affords 
Is not the man who money hoards, 
But he who simply pays his debts. 

1922 



Friends and Other Verse 115 



SOMETHING LEFT 

Vast troubles assail me, 

Tho never they quail me; 

On the joys that remain I depend. 

Whatever the grief, 

This thot brings relief, 

I have life and have love to the end. 



116 Friends and Other Verse 



THE GIRL OF 1921 

I met a little cottage maid; 
Her age she would not say. 
She was rigged up for promenade 
In quite a killing way. 

Her skirt was short, her neck, low, bare; 
Of eyes she had no fears. 
Because she had arranged her hair 
To hide her naked ears. 



Friends and Other Verse 117 



IMPATIENCE 

Impatience and intolerance. 

More cruel than the warrior's lance. 

We must avoid, or otherwise 

Our path o'er stones and briers lies. 

We can not be together, Dear, 
On earth forever. While we're here 
Naught must of censure be allowed 
To mar our happiness, or cloud 

Our hope, our trust, our life, our light. 
Together, we'll await the flight 
That comes to each and every one. 
Assured that love has but begun. 

1921 



118 Friends and Other Verse 



WIFE AND I AT THE PI PHI HOUSE 

Dear Pi Phi girls, we'd have you know 
The second of November, 
For reasons as set forth below. 
We always will remember. 

It is a most distinguished date, 
Because 'twas then our happy fate 
Your welcome to participate. 
Your generous feast to share; 

And then your happy songs and cheer. 
Your girhsh charms, all were so dear. 
We felt our lost youth almost near; 
We're glad that we were there. 



Friends and Other Verse 119 



MY FAVORITE GIRL 
From the Arrow, December, 1913. 

The girl I love the best 

Lives North, South, East and West; 

But everywhere she's very much the same. 

She's been or is in college, 

Her head is full of knowledge, 

And other things contribute to her fame. 

She's always bright and happy 

And just a little snappy; 

Her eyes are grey and blue and black and 

brown ; 
Of divers shades, her hair. 
Her face is ever fair 
And never, never clouded with a frown. 



120 Friends and Other Verse 



There's music in her voice — 

The lady of my choice 

Whom in evening serenade Fve often 

heard; 
But the sweetest thing of all 
Is her whistle's cheery call; 
'Tis melodious as the carol of a bird. 

She's jolly, she is grave, 

She's timid, she is brave; 

I've told enough that you should guess the 

rest; 
Her name I need not tell. 
For I've described her well — 
And she wears a golden arrow on her breast. 



Friends and Other Verse 121 



WHO? 

Deluded throngs allegiance blindly pledge 
In loud acclaim: "we'll follow where he 

leads." 
And this to one whose conscience is as dead. 
To everything except ambition's lure 
His ear is deaf. On patriotic themes 
He boldly sings in parody in which 
He lauds himself, proclaiming o'er the land, 
"No other gods before ME thou shall have." 

1912 



122 Friends and Other Verse 



TWO LIMITS 

When we say a man's the limit 
He has missed, so it would seem, 
The ever proper medium 
And hit on one extreme. 

Two limits, in America, 
Conspicuous, we see: 
The fire-eating Roosevelt, 
The lamb-Uke Billy B. 



1915 



Friends and Other Verse 123 



THE PRESIDENT 

Quoth Teddy, "Were I in the game, 
I would do this, I would do that;" 
But what he would do matters not. 
For Teddy is not at the bat. 

The man whose word is now worth while. 
To whom we list with rapt intent. 
Is not a struck out has-been, No ! 
He's Woodrow Wilson, President. 

1915 



124 Friends and Other Verse 



HATERS OF ENGLAND 

We have no patience with the man 
Who airs his grudge of ancient date, 
Who for our ally harbors hate; 
Upon his speech we'll put a ban. 

We love the flags of all the lands 
That for our common purpose fight, 
For honor, liberty and right; 
We grasp their soldiers by their hands. 

The Stars and Stripes, the Union Jack, 
The flag of France, all red, white, blue; 
Italy's, Serbia's, Belgium's, too — 
With them we'll drive the foemen back 

1918 



Friends and Other Verse 125 



ESTRANGED 

A very near friend gave me in confidence from 
his own life and feeling the basis for the fol- 
lowing. 

T could have borne it, Love, if thou hadst 

died. 
The awful agony of that dark hour 
Would then be shared by other hearts with 

mine; 
And the community of sympathy 
Would lessen each for each the mighty 

grief. 
While I, perchance, might dream that I, 

again. 
Sometime, somewhere, would know thee as 

I did 
In those glad days when I to thee was all; 
When kisses pressed upon responsive lips 
To us were a delirium of joy. 
When I reflect upon what might have been. 
Then realize the chasm 'twixt our lives. 
The awful fact unbearably confronts; 
It doth appear, faith, hope and joy are dead. 



126 Friends and Other Verse 



THE MAIDEN EVANGELIST 

Thy creed, dear girl, I can not comprehend; 
Of thy theology, my faith falls short; 
I look, but can not see unto the end, 
For countless doubts my vision doth distort. 

But this we know, we are divinely blest. 
Touched with the grace thy presence doth 

impart. 
A sweet and holy influence we attest 
From thy transcendent purity of heart. 

1904 



Friends and Other Verse 127 



RONDEAU 

When Gertrude sings, a melody as sweet 
And pure as her own heart our ears doth 

greet. 
Our spirits mount, we are no longer sad. 
For men forget their sorrows and are glad 

When Gertrude sings. 

1902 



128 Friends and Other Verse 



THE INVITATION 

To Daughter Jessie's piano recital her teacher 
playfully sent me an invitation in verse. The 
following is my reply. 



Dear lady, I accept your gracious call. 
At the appointed time I will be there. 
All quiet in the corner of the hall 
The spirit of the hour I will share. 

Not for the music's self, alone, I go; 
For I have heard pianos thumped — a few; 
But rather, (you will pardon me, I know) 
Because the invitation came from you. 

1916 



Friends and Other Verse 129 



WHAT CAN UNCLE SAM DO ABOUT IT? 

For Uncle Sam we have no dearth 
Of love, and we are proud to say 
That of all nations on this earth, 
Ours the greatest is today. 

Our constitution gives the right 
To all of suffrage; but we note 
That tho 'tis given to black and white, 
In Southland colored men can't vote. 

Land of the free, home of the brave, 
Loudly we claim, 'tis in our song; 
Yet Japs and Chinese, tho they crave 
Such rights, they are denied; 'tis wrong. 

All powerful, the stripes, and stars; 
We wave our flag and nations wake; 
Yet home rights oft the mob debars 
And burns our freemen at the stake. 

1922 



130 Friends and Other Verse 



RESPONSE TO POETICAL GREETINGS 
OF REV. W. F. BARTHOLOMEW 

Thou gav'st to us the best thou hadst, 
The riches of thy mind. 
But in our poverty, dear friend, 
We can't repay in kind. 

We can not draw such treasures rare 
Like money from the banks; 
But this we can and this we do : 
We tender thee our thanks. 

1915 



Friends and Other Verse 131 



A SPRING POEM 

Oh, Spring is a rolicsome, frolicsome 

maiden; 
Tho Fm ever so busy she bids me be free. 
She bids me forget all the burdens that 

laden, 
And dream all outdoors and its joys are for 

me. 

Thru my half open window she smiles and 
she beckons; 

She calls me to come where anemones 
bloom. 

Oh, the hours seem minutes, the minutes 
seem seconds 

When we yield to her spell and our child- 
hood resume. 

Let us go to the places where merrily 

rushes 
The brooklet, and list to the music that 

flows 
From the throats of the cardinals, robins 

and thrushes; 
We'll revel in pleasures the shut-in ne'er 

knows. March, 1919. 



132 Friends and Other Verse 



MEMORIES 

We garner in our memories as years go 

swiftly by 
The characters whom we have known the 

while; 
And tho in different channels our lives may 

later lie, 
We treasure each kind act and word and 

smile. 

The songs of singing birds, the songs of 

singing girls 
Charm none the less because of lapse of 

years. 
The old time joys creep in amidst life's 

busy whirls: 
Old scenes, old friends, old songs, old hopes, 

old fears. 

1922 



Friends and Other Verse 133 



JOHN HARRISON BLU 

Our Baby Boy has seen scarce half a year. 
He does not run about, but on his back 
He wistful lies, looks, laughs, but does not 

lack 
Attention, for believe me, he's a dear. 

A pretty fancy says he's from above. 
However that may be, he can not do 
As yet great things; but this I will tell you. 
He's worth his weight in radium to love. 

1922 



134 Friends and Other Verse 



WHAT WOULD YOU DO? 

My naughty darling, only three years old, 
Had disobeyed me and I said "My Dear, 
Because you do not mind what you are told, 
I'll punish Papa's Baby." Drawing near. 

She folded her small hands and looking 

straight 
Into my eyes, all gentleness, she said, 
"I love you. Papa." Long I did not wait. 
But held her close, upon my breast her 

head. 

1922 



,i c t 



Friends and Other Verse 135 



COMPENSATION 

Of Lancelot and Guinevere, 

Keats, Shelley, Burns — or was it Hood? — 

Within my favorite nook and chair 

I read and thought the reading good. 

And then she came; before my eyes 
Her hands; I could not see a letter; 
Yet did not frown, or scold, or rise; 
Than Keats or Shelley, this was better. 

Her lips touched mine and as she smiled 
Her brown hair, falling, touched my breast. 
The memory of that dear child 
Is now and ever shall be — best. 

The eventide of life draws near; 
I falter to admit that truth; 
But this one glorious fact stands clear. 
Age hath rewards no less than youth. 

1918 





















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